Billy Graham’s Lexington’s crusade, 1971

Evangelist Billy Graham speaks to a crowd of 13,000 at UK’s Stoll Field shortly before the opening of his four-day Central Kentucky Crusade, April 25, 1971. The crowd was overflow from Memorial Coliseum, where Graham was about to deliver a sermon. Minutes prior to his coliseum appearance, Graham told the sun-drenched crowd “This is the first time I’ve preached to an inside audience where the outside crowd was larger than the one inside.” Photo by David Perry | staff

A capacity crowd of 13,500 filled UK’s Memorial Coliseum April 25, 1971 during the opening day of evangelist Billy Graham’s four-day Central Kentucky Crusade. “Jesus Christ is the truth personified and if you will follow Him and believe Him He will set you free!” Graham told the crowd. For four days Graham filled Memorial Coliseum to capacity, including some overflow into the stands at Stoll Field for an estimated total of 77,500 people. Graham, who counseled presidents and whose crusades altered lives, died Wednesday at 99. Photo by David Perry | staff